Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Monday said what is being witnessed in Maharashtra in terms of drought is a natural calamity and added that the state government is providing all assistance to those in distress.

“What we are witnessing in Maharashtra it is a fury of nature. Because of climate change what we are witnessing is erratic monsoon for the last few years consecutive. Many states have experienced draught condition and very scanty rains and therefore what Maharashtra government is doing is a laudable thing is taking water from all sources from all places,” Javadekar told ANI here.

“Today a train which is carrying water is going in Marathwada region. So, I think, the government is doing everything what is possible.

They have already started Jalyukta Siva water recharge programme, which is required to store the rain water and now we are waiting for the rains,” he added.

The Maharashtra government has lifted section 144 of CrPC in Latur, saying people were co-operating and the fights over water have stopped. Latur has been facing a severe water shortage this year.

‘water train’ with 10 wagons carrying water for parched Latur in Marathwada region, which is battling the worst drought ever, on Monday left from Miraj in western Maharashtra.

The train is expected to reach Latur later in the day. “Maharashtra Government and Railway Ministry are working hard to bring relief to people in drought affected region of Maharashtra,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.